A MAHARAJAH'S WEALTH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 179, 27 January 1912, Page 9

A MAHARAJAH'S WEALTH

A SECOND ALADDIN'S CAVE. The Maharajah of Baroda, one of the native rulers who attended the Coronation Durbar at Delhi, is probably the most magnificent ruler of modern times. His wealth is enormous, and he possesses a collection of jewels that could not be rivalled in the courts of Europe. A diamond necklace that is valued at £250,000 was one of the ornaments that he wore at the Durbar. He has fifty State elephants, with howdahs of gold and silver.set with jewels, and saddles and trappings of cloth of gold. , The gor-geously-clad servants who attend the animals are five hundred in number. The Maharajah is the proud owner of the most costly gun that the world has produced. The weapon is constructed largely of chased silver, set with splendid stones, and its value is little less than £IOO,OOO. The chief palace of Baroda is dascribed by favored visitors as a second Aladdin's cave. Several halls are required to house the jewels and regalia and also the famous pearl carpets which were intended originally to be a covering for the tomb of Mahomet. The Maharajah's bed is a great structure of gold, hung with priceless tapestries. A favorite amusement of this ruler is watching elephants fight, the animals being drugged to induce fierceness. But he governs his State w$H, and it is said that his personal expenses are comparatively small. He lias provided his subjects with an excellent education system and has shown his readiness to keep pace with modern science in irrigation and intensive farming. One of his sons is being educated in Britain and another in America, so that the next ruler of Baroda is likely to be even more progressive and enlightened than his father is. A young man who lias been educated among British youths may yearn for elephant fights, but will probably prefer a motor car to a jewelled howdah when he wants to travel.